The following originated as a comment on Comments on 2008-01-13 Belflin Goes To Arcadia and was inspired by Monte Cook’s ideas regarding running combat without miniatures.
How to run a D&D 3.5 fight without a battlemap?
- Split the fight up into little groups, usually such that it’s a n:1 situation unless people are fighting back-to-back.
- No attacks of opportunity against spell casters and archers unless you’re in difficult terrain or fighting foes with reach. You can always do a five foot step into safety.
- Moving to another group provokes attacks of opportunity from the guys you’re leaving.
- If you stick to your group, you can do full attacks.
- If you’re alone in your group against two or more, you’re flanked.
- You only get covers from ranged attacks if you’re flanked.
- Don’t ignore “into melee” for ranged attacks.
- Ignore movement speed unless you’re chasing fugitives.
You can still use sketches. They will inevitably end up looking similar to this one:

Tags: RPG thoughts advice
Comments
Yup. That’s pretty much how I play it too. Also:
Phew. I’m sure I can think of more, though that’ll do for now.......
– GreyWulf 2008-01-22 14:19 UTC
I can smell Old School from two feet away! “Lighting bolts bounce off walls.” Those were the days...
– AlexSchroeder 2008-01-22 14:40 UTC
Heh. Everything smells of Old School!
Per the SRD, Lightning Bolts don’t bounce, I know. But where’s the fun in that, eh?

– GreyWulf 2008-01-22 16:47 UTC